OXNARD : Schools Seek Federal Grant of $439,000 for English Project

A growing number of students who can’t speak English prompted the Oxnard school board Wednesday to request a $439,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Education for a project that would aid seventh- and eighth-grade students.

The Oxnard Elementary School District has more than 12,000 students, of whom 4,554 have limited proficiency in English. Last year, that group grew by 10%, according to district records, affecting the district’s two intermediate schools and exceeding the schools’ resources to help the students.

As a result, the grant project was developed to help students with English and other academic skills, in addition to helping them cope with adolescence.

Stephanie Purdy, the district’s manager of English language development, said that while there is stiff competition for the grants, she hopes Oxnard will be awarded the funds.

“There are approximately 300 grant applications nationwide, with funding for about 70,” Purdy said. “California always does very well, with about 30 to 35 awarded to the state. In a worst-case scenario, I think we have a 1-in-3 chance.”

Should the district not receive the grant, Purdy said the district would “stretch the money we have and do the best we can.”

However, she said the grants are critiqued so thoroughly by the federal government that “if we are not accepted, we can polish up the grant and submit it next year. Statistics show that they usually accept them the second time around.”

The project targets 776 students at Haydock and Fremont Intermediate schools during the two-year transition period before high school. The program will be designed for individual students, who will receive intensive English language development.

The program will also give students the skills to cope with adolescence, including social development, study habits, cultural awareness and an orientation for newcomers to the district.